We were home for Christmas this year. And I mean home,     alone. We had the stomach virus hit our family like a ton of bricks. We had to cancel any family gatherings we had planned for the protection of all others. And although we did our best to limit contact, only two of nine escaped.

Finally, five days later, it appears that no one will die. Although for a couple of days we were really not sure. But now the presents are opened and we had a good time actually, although it was the immediate family by themselves.

I have patients that would have called this epidemic the flu. In the medical field, the “flu” actually refers to the annual viral influenza that is a respiratory infection causing lots of cough, muscle aches, and general malaise.

If you want to read an excellent book, read The Great Influenza of 1918 by John M. Barry. It covers the influenza where approximately one third of the world’s population died. ONE THIRD! Can you imagine that?

Our family hopes your family had a wonderful Christmas too, remembering Him who came to save the world by not only being born a baby in the manger, but growing up to be a man who would die for the sins of the world.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”